February 13, 2007

May I offer a proposal?

(A welcome greeting to parents upon return from a Florida vacation)

Wintry chill and a blast of snow will quickly remind you where you are from. I trust the memories of a vacation in the sun and with friends will sustain you, at least for awhile.

Monday's trip started out quietly. Careful checking of weather reports and forecasts were part of the pre-departure checks. I did this before leaving for the airport and carefully noted a storm's progress. Getting out from South Bend seemed manageable. But the return trip? Now that was another question. Time would tell of the storms progress, the effect in Indianapolis operations, and what would happen. Perhaps nothing would change and the plane would return normally with cargo? Perhaps the return trip would be cancelled and an early departure offered? Or perhaps the crew would have to layover. A dip in a hotel hot tub sounded inviting. But that was probably unlikely to happen.

Shortly after arriving at the cargo terminal, calling the company flight following and obtaining a release, the local Fed Ex ramp agent offered news. No cargo would be on the feeder airplanes. Sending it down on trucks was an early decision, the basis was not shared. Perhaps it was due to weather reports and forecasts? I just shrugged and accepted it. This meant an early departure from South Bend. I completed the airplane preflight and then called the company back and let them know. The flight follower acknowledged my comment but replied that he already had heard. News travels fast! I departed and arrived an forty five minutes later making an approach to the airport terminal area. One runway was unavailable due to snow removal. This left the long runway 5Left.

The radar controller made a sequence for the arrivals. He asked, can you give me 160 knots? I replied, I can give 150. That seemed to satisfy him. A large jet was in trail with four miles separation behind me. A three mile minimum is required. Just as I hit the five mile point the controller instructed me to make the frequency changed, asking me to keep the speed up all the way. I replied, "I'll try.". He repied, "I know you will". A kind-hearted controller, and a manageable request.

The north wind will blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will the robin do then,
Poor thing?
He'll sit in a barn and keep himself warm
And hide his head under his wing
Poor thing!
"The Robin", From Mother Goose Rhymes

Loading begins. De-ice staff arrive and we discuss what and when to apply fluid. This process requires a team coordination for a successful outcome.

The weather is ominous. Airport visibility had dropped to 1.75 miles in snow showers. Cloud ceilings are just 900 feet. The autopilot is used for an approach and the speed maintained at 150 knots down to 700 feet and a runway distance of 1.5 miles. Then a power reduction was made, slowing the 6,300 pounds of metal enough to land at 85 knots. A rollout followed and then a quick turnoff the runway. It was someone else's turn to land. A taxi of :15 minutes later and the plane arrived at the cargo ramp. It was an early start and I was glad to get in.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. A load of flowers, bags of vital documents, and the standard complement of small packages arrive in carts. Somewhere, many couples will celebrate the day. For some, the celebration will include flowers and perhaps a marriage proposal. For others working in offices, a business proposal will guide meetings. The plane's valuable load reaches many people. How did it get there? Consider this journey when you open your package.

The return trip began with news of a delay of over an hour. This is not good. I asked the local cargo tower for more information. The plane was nearly loaded and the de-ice truck was all that was needed. No other departing jets seemed to be in the taxi lane. The reply was, "I'll see...call back when you are done loading". I did. The result was being one of the first three planes to depart on a snowy morning.

Taxing out behind two large jets, I arrived at an intersection and was given the first departure. Someone has to go first and it was going to be me. How about that! The first plane out in the morning cargo schedule from a large airport in the midwest. I didn't think about that too much at the time but it's significance grew during the day.

Making a takeoff with de-ice fluid on the wings requires a longer takeoff roll and higher speed. The runway was 11,000 feet long and the takeoff seemed to take a very long time. Finally at 100 knots, some 20 knots higher then with no flaps, the airplane began to fly. Climbing out in the wind and the snow was manageable. Little icing was encountered during the flight at 7,000 feet. A approach into South Bend made after the local tower opened was a conclusion to the trip.

Walking from the garage to the door I noted new snow and footprints. I thought to write a story and call it ,"Footprints in the snow". Who knows? Perhaps I'll just be glad to be home for now and get started on sleep.

The hymn from William Croft comes to mind:

Welcome home!